Wines - Red
Hawke's Bay is by far the largest contributor to the national vintage of Merlot Cabernet and Syrah varieties of wine grapes in tonnes and producing hectares.
- 82% of NZ producing hectares in Merlot Cabernet & Syrah (1836ha) in 2016
- 87% of NZ vintage in Syrah (1,922 tonnes) in 2016
- 88% of NZ vintage in Merlot Cabernet & Syrah categories (12,620 tonnes) in 2016
HAWKE'S BAY CABERNET MERLOT
Hawke's Bay Cabernet Merlot wines are described as having "luscious ripe fruit flavours that acquire complex structure and elegance with age". Hawke's Bay red blends are a perfect example of creating a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominant blends are produced in Hawke's Bay as well as 100% varietals. Blending choices are dependent on individual vineyard sites and conditions each vintage. Hawke's Bay blends also use Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and sometimes Syrah.
“One forgets just how fine New Zealand's Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends can be, particularly in Hawke's Bay...”
Neal Martin, Rightr for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2008.
HAWKE'S BAY SYRAH
Hawke's Bay Syrah is produced in a classic European style and described as "dark, weighty, intensely varietal with plum, fresh raspberry and black pepper flavours".
“Hawke's Bay Syrah is one of the most exciting wine styles I've tasted in the past five years”
Tim Atkin, The Observer, February 2007